In 1984, the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), the U.N. Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) bowed to immense political pressure from India and decided to locate the Centre in two places; India and Italy.

Fully autonomous since 1994, it runs 46 state-of-the-art laboratories, in Trieste, Italy, New Delhi, India and Cape Town, South Africa and forms an interactive network with over 65 Member States. It plays a key role in Biotechnology worldwide for excellence in Research, Training and Technology Transfer to industry to contribute in concrete terms to the achievement of sustainable global development and its operations are aligned to those of the United Nations System.